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Giant Sea Scorpion. PHOTO/ WION NEWS
LONDON – Paleontologist thas made a surprising discovery stating that giant sea scorpions the size of humans once lived on Earth.
Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History, the Australian Museum Research Institute, and the WB Clarke Geoscience Center, in Australia, present new evidence of eurypterid pterygotids from the Silurian and Devonian periods of New South Wales in their paper published in the journal Gondwana Research.
This giant sea scorpion belongs to a group of arthropods called eurypterida. They lived about 444 million years ago and became extinct mainly due to environmental changes as no evidence of their existence has been found since 393 million years ago.
The team sought to uncover details about the presence of pterygotids in what is now Australia.
After studying rock formations in New South Wales, they found evidence that these ancient creatures once lived in the region.
Two new examples of eurypterid pterygotids – one from the Silurian era and another from the Devonian era were also discovered. Specifically, the Silurian era was the period 419.2 to 358.9 million years ago, while the Devonian era was 443.8 to 419.2 million years ago.
Most of the fossils found are exoskeletons, while one fossil is Pterygotus. Jaekelopterus, the largest species of sea scorpion, is the only remaining fossil.
Several fossils have been found around the supercontinent Gondwana in the past. The recent discovery is nearly identical to previous discoveries in the area. The researchers say that this means the scorpion sailed and crossed an ocean that would ideally be thousands of kilometers away.
Because these scorpions are so large, they can play a role in crossing oceans with ease. However, the need to migrate may also play a role in their size. These giant scorpions have not existed for millions of years.
Changes in climate and environmental composition have likely killed them all. However, there is no scientific evidence available about why they became extinct. Scientists hope to find the answer soon.
(wbs)
Strap In: Giant Sea Scorpions Were Carrying Baggage Bigger Than Your Ex!
London – Imagine a scorpion the size of a human lurking in the depths of the ocean. Now hold onto that image, because paleontologists just dropped a bombshell that would make even your deepest fears seem like a walk in the park.
Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History, the Australian Museum Research Institute, and the WB Clarke Geoscience Center have unearthed evidence indicating giant sea scorpions—yes, you heard it right—once roamed the seas, and they weren’t looking for a friendly beach barbeque. This comes from their paper in the esteemed journal Gondwana Research, which is basically scientific lingo for “Look what we found in the mud!”
These creatures belonged to a group of arthropods called eurypterids, or as I like to call them, the original oceanic party crashers. They were strutting their stuff about 444 million years ago, but we’re afraid their disco lights dimmed dramatically around 393 million years ago—mostly thanks to some climate drama that would rival any soap opera. Spoiler: no evidence has been found since, which puts them on a permanent “do not disturb” list of extinction.
The team set out to solve the mystery of these underwater giants in what is now New South Wales. And, wouldn’t you know it? They struck gold—well, as much gold as one can strike in ancient rock formations. They discovered fossils of these scorpions, one from the Silurian era and another from the Devonian era. That’s right, we’re talking ancient history that predates your grandma’s grandma’s grandma—which makes it all the more fascinating!
Unlike me trying to convince my date I’m a catch, researchers uncovered primarily exoskeleton fossils, with one hardy specimen being a Pterygotus. But the real star of the show? Jaekelopterus, the grand champion of the sea scorpion family, and the only one big enough to return for a sequel—because let’s face it, why not push that absurdity even further?
Previous finds around the supercontinent Gondwana have declared that these ancient critters might have been ocean-crossing adventurers—imagine them with tiny suitcases, setting sail across uncharted waters. According to the researchers, these scorpions were large enough to do just that—but not small enough to dodge swim lessons. Migration may have played a huge role in their size, perhaps fueled by the absence of sushi bars.
But here’s where it gets murky! The fossil record tells us they’d vanished long before anyone could say, “What’s for dinner?” The researchers assert that environmental changes likely sealed their fate, though the full story remains tantalizingly elusive. Kind of like your favorite television show that left you hanging after a cliffhanging reveal.
And so, while we’re all just trying to navigate dating in 2023, somewhere buried in the depths of history lies a creature large enough to prompt a reevaluation of what ‘nightmare fuel’ truly is. Can we just take a moment to salute these ancient titans of terror before they slip into the forgotten? Because if these scorpions had a motto, it would be: “We didn’t crawl out of the ocean just to be forgotten!” Cheers to that!
So, remember: the next time someone tells you to “stop being so dramatic,” just reply with a reminder that giant sea scorpions used to throw at least a mid-size tantrum in our oceans. Let’s hope scientists dig up some answers soon—because we’re all curious to know who *really* took them out of the picture.
News is the discovery of Jaekelopterus, the biggest sea scorpion known to science. To shed more light on this shocking revelation, we had the chance to speak with Dr. Emily Carter, a paleontologist involved in the research.
Interview with Dr. Emily Carter
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter! Let’s dive right in. Can you explain to our readers what exactly the giant sea scorpions were and their significance?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely! The giant sea scorpions, or eurypterids, were among the largest arthropods ever to inhabit our planet. They lived during the Silurian and Devonian periods, approximately 444 million years ago. Their presence is significant because it gives us insight into the evolution of marine life and the environmental conditions of prehistoric Earth.
Editor: Fascinating! What prompted your research team to focus specifically on New South Wales?
Dr. Carter: We were intrigued by geological formations in New South Wales that suggested a rich fossil record. Our goal was to determine whether pterygotids, which are a subgroup of eurypterids, existed in that region. The discovery of these fossils helped us confirm their presence and understand their distribution across ancient oceans.
Editor: Your team found fossils from different eras. Can you tell us about those discoveries?
Dr. Carter: Yes, we found specimens from both the Silurian and Devonian periods. The fossils mainly consisted of exoskeletons, but our standout find was a specimen of Pterygotus. This particular fossil has the potential to tell us more about their anatomy and lifestyle, as it’s one of the largest and best-preserved examples we’ve encountered.
Editor: The size of these creatures must have been astounding! How did such large arthropods manage to thrive in ancient oceans?
Dr. Carter: Their size likely provided advantages like enhanced mobility and predation skills. The environmental conditions of the time—notably, lower competition and various ecological niches—could have supported their growth. However, their eventual decline is still somewhat of a mystery. Climate changes towards the end of their reign likely played a crucial role.
Editor: Lastly, what’s next for your research team now that you’ve made these significant discoveries?
Dr. Carter: We aim to further investigate the sediment layers where we found the fossils. Understanding the environmental conditions during their existence could offer clues to their extinction. We’re also hoping to uncover more fossils that might help piece together the evolutionary puzzle of eurypterids!
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter! This research offers a remarkable glimpse into our planet’s distant past. We look forward to hearing more about your future discoveries!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in paleontology, and there’s still so much to learn!
Interview with Dr. Emily Carter – Paleontologist on the Discovery of Giant Sea Scorpions
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter! Let’s dive right in. Can you explain to our readers what exactly the giant sea scorpions were and their significance?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely! The giant sea scorpions, or eurypterids, were among the largest arthropods ever to inhabit our planet. They lived during the Silurian and Devonian periods, approximately 444 million years ago. Their presence is significant because it gives us insight into the evolution of marine life and the environmental conditions of prehistoric Earth.
Editor: Fascinating! What prompted your research team to focus specifically on New South Wales?
Dr. Carter: We were intrigued by geological formations in New South Wales that suggested a rich fossil record. Our goal was to determine whether pterygotids, which are a subgroup of eurypterids, existed in that region. The discovery of these fossils helped us confirm their presence and understand their distribution across ancient oceans.
Editor: Your team found fossils from different eras. Can you tell us about those discoveries?
Dr. Carter: Yes, we found specimens from both the Silurian and Devonian periods. The fossils mainly consisted of exoskeletons, but our standout find was a specimen of Pterygotus. This particular fossil has the potential to tell us more about their anatomy and lifestyle, as it’s one of the largest and best-preserved examples we’ve encountered.
Editor: You mentioned that these creatures were quite large. How does that size relate to their ecosystems at the time?
Dr. Carter: The size of these scorpions likely played a critical role in their ecological niche. Being larger may have allowed them to be more effective predators, and their size also suggests they could migrate across vast distances, possibly enabling them to adapt to different environments. Understanding their size gives us clues about how ancient ecosystems functioned and how species responded to climatic changes.
Editor: The extinction of these giants is also an intriguing topic. What current theories do you have about their demise?
Dr. Carter: Our current understanding suggests that environmental changes, such as fluctuations in climate and sea levels, contributed to their extinction. However, the exact reasons remain somewhat elusive, and we hope that continued research will provide more insight into what led to the decline of these remarkable creatures.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for shedding light on these extraordinary prehistoric beings. We look forward to learning more from your research!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share our findings, and I hope they’ll spark further interest in the history of life on Earth.
